Town Festival in Springfield, Ohio, Canceled Due to Threats Against Haitian Community

Town Festival in Springfield, Ohio, Canceled Due to Threats Against Haitian Community
Image Via: The New York Times

The annual festival of cultural diversity in an Ohio city engulfed in political controversy over Haitian migrants was called off on Monday due to violent threats that have closed government offices and schools for several days.

The city of Springfield said that the two-day CultureFest, which celebrates diversity, the arts, and culture, has been canceled “in light of recent threats and safety concerns.” The event was originally set to start on September 27.

“We deeply regret having to cancel CultureFest, as we know it is a beloved event for our community,” City Manager Bryan Heck stated. “However, the safety of our residents and visitors must come first.”

Since former President Donald Trump, his running mate JD Vance, and the Republican presidential campaign repeated disproved accusations about Haitian immigrants consuming domestic pets and waterfowl, Springfield has been the center of considerable attention.

Republican governor of Ohio, Mike DeWine, has criticized the unfounded accusations, claiming there isn’t any proof of them. DeWine scheduled a press conference for later on Monday in Springfield.

Speaking about the situation in Springfield, President Joe Biden denounced the “lies and hate” during his Monday appearance at the National HBCU Week Conference in Philadelphia.

“It’s wrong. It’s simply wrong. And it must stop,” he stated.

On Monday, two Springfield institutions offered virtual classrooms. Two threats were made over the weekend, according to Wittenberg University, and “both of them were targeted toward members of the Haitian Community.” Because of “recent events in Springfield,” Clark State College announced that it will be open virtually through Friday.

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Following bomb threats, Springfield City Hall, a number of schools, and state motor vehicle offices were evacuated last week.

Approximately 45 miles (70 kilometers) from Columbus, the state capital, thousands of Haitian immigrants have made their home in this mostly white, blue-collar city of 60,000 people.

They have found work in factories and warehouses that have been having difficulty filling job positions. The unexpected inflow has increased housing costs and put a pressure on local services, hospitals, and schools.

By: pbs.org

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